Advanced Earth Science Field Experience for Teachers
In the Middle Rocky Mountains and Colorado Plateau
June 16th through July 3rd, 2001
A comprehensive earth science field excursion visiting the:
The Great Plains, Raton Volcanic Field, Southern Rocky Mountains, Rio Grande Rift Valley, Jemez Mountains Cauldera, Great Sand Dunes National Monument, Durango and Silverton Historic Mining Areas, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Arches National Monument, Capitol Reef National Monument, Dinosaur National Monument, Rocky Mountain National Park.
Program Objectives
The program objectives are to allow participants an opportunity to explore and come to an understanding of the fundamental principles of historical geology, structure, and landforming events and processes at work, that produce the distinct regions we will visit. Through field lectures, we will present the information necessary for teachers to acquire information about this unique region, so that it can be presented to students in our mid-western classrooms. Techniques of field data collection will be practiced in the hopes that many of these techniques may find their way into Illinois classrooms. The class will provide an opportunity for teachers to take slides and obtain reference materials, on-site, at some of the most important geological and geographical sites in the country.
Dr. Vincent Gutowski will be the instructor for the course. He has taught at EIU for 18 years. He has led 11field courses to various parts of the country, from Maine, to the Gulf Coast, to California, including three trips with educators. His graduate studies were completed in California and Pennsylvania and he holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.
ESC/SCI 5035. Field Methods in Earth Sciences for Natural Science Teachers (3 s.h.)
Participation in all scheduled presentations, field lectures and field activities. Demonstration of knowledge through discussion, and examination.
ESC/SCI 5037. Special Topics in Earth Sciences for Teachers (2 s.h.)
Production of a research paper or appropriate special project, the exact nature will be determined in consultation with the instructor. The paper or project will be delivered to Dr. Gutowski for evaluation; due date is July 25th or an alternative date approved by the instructor.
The fee includes five semester hours of graduate credit, transportation expenses, and lodging. Travel will be in university vans. Lodging will be in motels. We will set up motel arrangements for double accommodations, this will cost a little more money, but will save us some time in the mornings. Meals will be the responsibility of each individual. Several coolers will be made available for the group to use for lunches at the field sites.
Enrollment will be limited to 18 participants. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Officially enrolled participants will be determined by receiving an application form and $100 deposit by February 1st, 2001. Once the class is filled, a waiting list will be maintained. If openings develop, those on the list will be contacted. The deposit will be refunded if the applicant is not accepted. Please apply early as the course may fill rapidly. Early application will facilitate planning activities. The balance of all charges is due by April 1st, 2001. Withdrawls after April 15th , 2001 will forfeit the $100 deposit. Withdrawls after May 1st, 2001 will forfeit 50% of all fees and withdrawls after May 31st, 2001 will forfeit all fees.
Below is a map illustrating the approximate route we will follow this summer. We enter the Rocky Mountains in northeastern New Mexico, an area of recent volcanic activity. After crossing the first mountain barrier, we will spend two days in the Taos area, near the Rio Grande River. Southern Colorado is a land of contrasts, where we will see sand dunes in a fertile valley, hot springs, and old mining areas. Later, we enter the Colorado Plateau to study excellent examples of uplift, faults and folds. Processes of weathering, wind and water erosion and the residuals left behind can be found in areas such as Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef. Northeast Utah is where we will visit Dinosaur National Monument. Rocky Mountain National Park will be the last site studied.
Road log
The following links are to road logs created by the students of the 2001 Advanced Earth Science Field Experience for Teachers trip. Click on the various links to see what the students have posted about that day's experiences. If a link is not active, that just means the day hasn't yet arrived. They will be updating the links as the trip progresses.
June 16 - 17
June 18
June 19
June 20
June 21
June 22
June 23
June 24
June 25
June 26
June 27
June 28
June 29
June 30
July 1
July 2
July 3
